SMC Online Doula Training – August 2026
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Birth Stories
Birth Stories
My first homebirth after four cesareans was one of the most healing and empowering experiences of my life.
It was a hot summer day, around 95 degrees, and we had no air conditioning just fans working overtime. When early labor started, I called my doula. She came over with coconut water and frozen T-shirts and walked up and down the street with me to help keep me comfortable. Before heading home to get her own house in order, she made sure I was settled and supported. My brother even made a run to Lowe’s for a window AC unit because we knew this baby was coming.
As labor picked up, I felt excited, nervous, and hopeful all at the same time. For years I had been told what my body could not do. I was told my pelvis was too small, that I could not fully dilate, that my babies did not handle labor well, that my fluid was low, and that my scar could rupture. There were so many fear filled messages attached to my previous births.
My midwife prepared me long before labor began. She encouraged me to face every one of those fears before my daughter’s birth. She told me, “If you believe you can birth this baby, I will be there to support you.” I took her words seriously and did the work of confronting those doubts.
When active labor began, my doula, midwife, and two additional birth supporters arrived. They supported me, but they also gave my husband and me space to labor together. He held me, prayed with me, swayed with me, and listened to music with me. Our children waited in the family room, playing videos games and eagerly anticipating the arrival of their baby sister.
The tub became a place of peace for me. I remember talking to my daughter and telling her that it was up to the two of us to bring her earthside and that I was ready whenever she was. I read the affirmations posted around the room and reminded myself that my body was capable. I chose not to have vaginal exams because I wanted to trust my body and trust the process.
When I got out of the tub and headed toward my bedroom, I felt what I thought was the urge to poop. It turns out it was my daughter making her way earthside. I felt what many call the “ring of fire,” but for me it felt like confirmation. It was the moment I knew we were about to do what so many had said was impossible.
I heard my doula say, “There’s her head.” My husband watched in amazement as she emerged. Then I reached down and caught my daughter myself. My hands were the first to touch her, exactly as I had hoped.
As I sat in awe, my daughter latched beautifully and her siblings came into the room with so much excitement. After four cesareans, I finally experienced the birth I had prayed for. That day reminded me that birth is not just physical, it is emotional, spiritual, and deeply transformative.
- 5 Replies
Wow, motherhood is an amazing experience. Reading this gave me chills. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and vulnerable part of your story.
What stands out to me most is how you had to overcome years of being told what your body couldn’t do. It wasn’t just about giving birth—it was about reclaiming trust in yourself. The support you had from your husband, midwife, doula, and family is such a powerful reminder of how important it is to be surrounded by people who believe in you.
The moment you caught your own daughter after being told it was impossible is incredible. Your story is such a testament to faith, perseverance, and the strength of both a mother’s body and mind. I’m so happy you got to experience the birth you had prayed for. Thank you for letting us be part of such a meaningful moment.❤
Wow Najma this was truly beautiful to read. I’m glad you got to experience the birth you had prayed for and all the love you had wrapped around you, such a beautiful way of bringing your baby girl into this world.
What a transformation! I can’t help but wonder if some of what we are told not truly for our benefit. So many years I have seen what we are taught many times is not the truth. So much of we know to be truth is actually false, maybe not for all but definitely for some. That is an awesome story to have caught your own baby!
That had to be the best part of the delivery I’m sure. Bringing life into this world is such a beautiful thing. The creation of a new life is a miracle in itself, but to carry the baby for 9 months then facilitate the labor for however long it takes, and then be the first to catch your precious creation shows exactly why mothers are to be praised. We are warriors from start to finish!
Najma, this brought me to tears, thank you so much for sharing your story. I can’t even begin to imagine the mountains you had to climb to achieve the levels of faith that you had for this. You are SO capable and it takes so much to surrender to that knowing especially after so many experiences where things went differently than expected. A good mantra I had to tell myself leading up to labor was “I accept whatever turn my birthing journey takes”, because truly so much is out of our control… Still you persevered and should be so proud of the outcome you created for yourself and the (at least) FIVE children you created. Bless you.
Najma, this was such a powerful story to read. I could feel the healing in it, especially knowing you had four cesareans before experiencing the homebirth you had prayed for. The part that really stayed with me was how many fear filled messages you had been given about your body, and then how your midwife helped you face those fears instead of feeding them. I also loved reading how supported you were by your husband, doula, midwife, and birth team while still being given the space to trust yourself and labor in your own way. The moment you reached down and caught your own daughter was absolutely beautiful. That had to be such an empowering feeling after being told for so long what your body could not do. And when you said birth is emotional, spiritual, and deeply transformative, I felt that. Your story is such a beautiful example of how deeply a birth experience can affect a woman beyond the physical part of giving birth. Thank you for sharing something so personal and powerful with us.
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